A ship for Charlevoix?

CHARLEVOIX - Despite efforts from several of Charlevoix's local, state and federal representatives to retain ice-breaking capabilities in the area, Round Lake still has no cutter.

More than two years after the United States Coast Guard Cutter Acacia was decommissioned from service, and nearly as long since President George W. Bush signed H.R. 889 which ordered that the Coast Guard maintain, at a minimum, its then current vessel capacity for ice-breaking in the Great Lakes, U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) is still fighting to make that a reality.

"It is important that a new Coast Guard cutter or similar asset be stationed in Charlevoix to replace the Acacia and continue the Coast Guard's long-standing presence in the northern Great Lakes," he stated in a July 17 press release. "While the Mackinaw is now stationed in Cheboygan, ice-breaking capacity in the northern Great Lakes has been reduced from two cutters to one, threatening the coast guard's ability to meet its operational responsibilities on the Great Lakes. The Coast Guard fleet is down one hull, but the scope of its ice-breaking mission is still the same."

Advertisement

Stupak recently urged House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee members on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation board, via written testimony, to enforce what he called "congressional intent" by demanding an asset be stationed in Charlevoix.

Stupak addressed the subcommittee in writing, hoping to sway the board chaired by Elijah Cummings.

"The Acacia provided essential navigational and search and rescue services in the northern Great Lakes. She also tended nearly 200 buoys and lighthouses and kept channels open by breaking ice," Stupak wrote. "This work is important for safety as well as for businesses and individuals that rely on the Great Lakes. The community has felt great pride in being the home of the Acacia, and I have been proud that the cutter has been stationed in my district."

Stupak's main argument for replacing Acacia hinged on the Great Lake's reputation as a major shipping channel.

"The Great Lakes serve as a main thoroughfare for iron ore to America's steel mills and other cargos to destinations in the United States, Canada, and overseas. During the winter months, 17 million tons of commerce moves through the Great Lakes. Without sufficient cutter presence, these goods will not reach their destination. Ice-breaking operations in the Great Lakes also play an important role for the local community. The residents of Beaver Island relied upon the coast guard's ice-breaking assets in Charlevoix to assure their safety and support their economy."

He added, "This year's cold winter showed the need for a cutter presence when Beaver Island again had to make an emergency call to the Coast Guard to break the ice to facilitate a fuel shipment. This is a common occurrence during cold winters."

According to Stupak, the Coast Guard's workload is being taxed because of the decommissioning of two Canadian ice-breakers.

Stupak has accused the Coast Guard of ignoring congressional intent.

"I have written the Coast Guard multiple times requesting that they follow Congressional intent. Unfortunately, the Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen continues to insist that the Coast Guard will not follow the requirements within the Fiscal Year 2006 Coast Guard Authorization Bill (HR 889), leaving Northern Michigan without a replacement for the Acacia."

So far, a paid lobbyist, a mayor, Charlevoix citizens and state and federal representatives to name a few have toiled with no avail for a replacement of the cutter Acacia which was decommissioned on June 7, 2006, after more than 60 years of service.

Neither a Coast Guard spokesman or Stupak returned calls by press time.